Half the land area is hilly or mountainous and includes remnants of the native forest cover especially in the foothills.  The remainder, the largest area of flat land in any district of New Zealand, has little original vegetation cover and is intensively farmed.

While there was pre-European settlement of the area by Maori, they used mainly the coastal areas to journey between Taumoto by Lake Ellesmere in the north and Arowhenua near Temuka in the south.  There is certainly evidence of moa hunting in the district, which carbon dating has placed between 500 and 600 years ago.

Early European settlement was based on sheep farming, with the district originally divided into large runs.  Cropping began in 1866 and very quickly developed into a large industry.  Today, the district produces 50% of New Zealand’s grain and 60% of the country’s small seed production, but this is now only part of the cropping story.

Products for livestock consumption, vegetables, berry fruits and flowers along with culinary and medicinal herbs are all significant players in this huge industry.

Central to the successful development of agricultural land has been the 66km Rangitata Diversion Race, a water canal which runs from the upper reaches of the Rangitata River across the full width of the district to the Rakaia River.  Irrigation schemes draw water from its entire length bringing flood irrigation to 64,000ha, the largest scheme in New Zealand.  This amounts to approximately half the 120,000 hectares of irrigated agricultural land in the Ashburton district.

Of equal importance still, is pastoral farming.  Lamb, wool, deer and beef production, horse breeding and a rapidly growing dairy industry contribute significantly to the district’s economy.  All sections of agriculture require an infrastructure of processing and service industries, which provide the backbone to the district’s stable employment base.

A feature of a thriving industrial scene in Ashburton is the diverse nature of some of its most successful businesses.  Prominent among these are the largest bus and coach building operation in the Southern Hemisphere, the largest spinning wheel and weaving loom manufacturer in New Zealand, and an internationally known kite designer and manufacturer.

Ashburton, the major town of the district (population 14,592), was established in 1858 on the site of the first ferry service over the Ashburton River.  Operated by William Turton, his accommodation house was the first dwelling in what is now the thriving commercial and residential heartbeat of the district.  The second largest centre, Methven, situated at the foothills, has a population of 1,070, and is the centre of the district’s famous winter playground.  Other smaller townships in the district include Rakaia (population 880) on the banks of the Rakaia River at the northern boundary, Chertsey, Hinds, Mayfield and Mt. Somers.

Climate

The district has an equable climate averaging 1900 hours of sunshine a year with an average rainfall of 738mm per annum ranging from 550mm to 1200mm.  The average daily maximum temperature in January is 22.1°C and average minimum is 10.2°C.  The average daily maximum in July is 10°C and average daily minimum is 0.3°C.

Education

The district is well served with pre-school facilities, 21 primary schools, an intermediate school and two secondary colleges.  The Aoraki Polytechnic, situated in central Ashburton offers a wide range of courses, as well as units in nationally recognised tertiary qualifications.

Health and Welfare

The Ashburton Hospital provides a wide range of specialist medical and surgical services and maternity health care.  Ashburton, Methven and Rakaia have medical centres and the area is particularly well serviced by primary health care professionals.  There are more than 100 health and welfare groups in the district and a number of quality rest homes and housing units for the elderly.

The district is well served with social agencies that cater to the specific needs of disadvantaged sectors of the community and those with special needs.

Recreational and Cultural Opportunities

Internationally known Mt. Hutt Ski Area attracts thousands of skiers and snowboarders each year with the town of Methven being the main accommodation area for the ski field.  There is also an increasingly popular ski field at Mt. Potts and some smaller niche operations offering specialty experiences such as heli-skiing.

The district includes two of New Zealand’s premier salmon fishing rivers, the Rakaia and the Rangitata, with the Rakaia Township annually hosting anglers from all over the world who have come to test themselves against the superb river-run salmon and trout.  Both rivers offer spectacular scenery, particularly on their upper reaches and there are various tourist operations taking advantage of this including, 4 wheel drive safaris and white water rafting.

The lakes and open spaces of the alpine foothills are also very popular with visitors and locals alike wanting to enjoy the spectacular scenery, trout fishing and tranquillity of the area.

The Ashburton Domain is an excellent garden park, which regularly entices locals and visitors to relax, walk in the beautiful gardens, watch sports events or enjoy a concert performance at an outdoor performing venue equal to that of any comparable district in New Zealand.

Lake Hood, a 70 hectare man-made aquatic park, is the latest recreational attraction to be established in the district.  In addition to the water-skiing and boating facilities available, national rowing events are planned for the purpose built watercourse.  Lake Hood hosts the Aqua-Fest, a celebration of water sports, cuisine and culture which looks set to become a regular feature on the district’s event calendar.

The district caters for a wide range of sporting codes and sports fields form a large part of the 265 hectares set aside for recreational reserves.  There are over 200 sports clubs in the district and facilities include five golf courses, a synthetic hockey turf, equine race centre, a nationally rated tennis complex and a covered heated swimming complex.  The Ashburton Showgrounds is home to many sports teams and events, including the Mid-Canterbury rugby team which currently competes in the second division of the National Provincial Championship.

Over 70 cultural and craft groups provide every opportunity for artistic and cultural expression and include an enthusiastic Arts Society, Historical Society and Operatic Society.  There is an excellent art gallery and museum equal to that of any comparable district in New Zealand and a large performing arts theatre.

Other Attractions

The district is developing a reputation as a centre featuring quality events and seasonal attractions.  Notable occasions are Wheels Week, a week packed with a diverse variety of events themed around the wheel, the New Zealand Walking Festival, the Minerals to Art Festival, the Methven Summer School, the Aqua-Fest, and the Ruapuna Garden Symposium.  Agricultural and Pastoral Shows reflect the district’s rich farming heritage.  The district is a harness racing stronghold with excellent tracks at both Ashburton and Methven and several trainers and breeders of both standardbreds and thoroughbreds in the district.

Ashburton district is now also part of the Lord of The Rings movie phenomenon with the shooting of scenes for the city of Edoras and other footage having taken place at Mt. Sunday and around Mt. Potts.  The spectacular scenery of the district is continuing to attract interest from film makers and the town of Methven is developing a reputation for hosting film crews and for providing expertise in the specific requirements for the film industry.